November 13, 2026
Kristin Hunt/PhillyVoice
'Star Wars: The Experience' features a wall of helmets, ship and character models and Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
The opening of the officially licensed "Star Wars" exhibit may be months away, but the Franklin Institute is already offering fans (even the scruffy-looking nerf-herders) an advanced look at the collection.
Kylo Ren's three-beam lightsaber will be one of several weapons in the "lightsaber sound lab," where movie props will be displayed alongside interactive replicas. Visitors can cue specific saber sounds by triggering RFID touchpoints, and learn how movie pros created those distinctive hums. Another gallery will feature a wall of helmets belonging to the stormtroopers and other faceless villains from the "Star Wars" universe.
The exhibit features a 'helmet wall' featuring props like this from 'Ahsoka.'
The breakout star of "The Last Jedi," the porg, will appear in a collection of creatures and droids unique to the franchise. There's another gallery for spaceships like the imperial TIE fighter, plus space for the maquettes "Star Wars" designers use to model characters in animated and live-action stories. The main attraction there is a replica set of Queen Amidala's throne room, as seen in "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace."
Porgs and other creatures from the 'Star Wars' universe is on display.
"Star Wars: The Experience," which spans 10 galleries, also promises fans an up-close look at Darth Vader's armor, Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber, Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) and a full-scale prop of Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
"From the beginning, our mission was to create a new kind of 'Star Wars' exhibition, one that takes guests beyond the screen and into a galaxy in an immersive and personalized way, while also celebrating the people behind 'Star Wars,'" Abby Bysshe, chief experience and strategy officer for the Franklin Institute, said at a Thursday conference.
Kylo Ren's lightsaber hilt is among several 'Star Wars' weapons included in the exhibit's 'lightsaber sound lab,' which displays movie props alongside interactive replicas.
The exhibit, timed to the 50th anniversary of the original "Star Wars" film, is set to embark on a five-year journey across North America. But it lands first in Philadelphia, where it'll remain Feb. 13-Sept. 6. Tickets are now on sale.
While daytime entry will cost adults $49 and kids $43, the Franklin Institute will offer $25 tickets during its extended evening hours from 5-8 p.m. Only the "Star Wars" exhibit will be accessible at that time. The museum is also matching the first 100 tickets sold and donating them to the 7uice Foundation, a nonprofit that creates educational opportunities for underserved communities. It was founded by Sixers forward Jaylen Brown.
A model of an Imperial TIE fighter is among the artifacts being displayed at the Franklin Institute's upcoming 'Star Wars' exhibit.
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